John Pollack
Director of Moving Pictures

Good stories, told well, are powerful, regardless of medium. They make us laugh. Cry. Think. They enrich our lives. Growing up, I always wanted to reflect on the world around me. I dabbled in poetry, prose, songwriting, graphic design and photography in search of my voice.

Then I tried filmmaking. Harnessing the power of images, sounds, music and voices to evoke emotion in a matter of seconds was a rush. I’ve never looked back.
   
I feel privileged when someone shares with me their story and trusts me to tell it to the world.

Christopher Ball
Cinematographer

I was nine when I discovered a Kodak Brownie movie camera in my parents’ attic. I couldn’t believe it. I ran downstairs yelling “You own a movie camera?”

I grew up in rural Ontario and thought that I wanted to be a vet; film was just for fun.  In high school a guidance counsellor suggested film. I said, “That’s a career?”
I immediately switched gears. I want to make people believe something and get so involved they get lost in it.  That’s my clothesline.

Rachel Mcgrath
Photographer

As a kid, I never had an answer when asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It wasn’t until I was 18 and got my first SLR as a graduation gift, that I realised capturing memories and emotions through a lens was not only incredibly inspiring, but potentially a future career for me.

My passion lies in creative portraiture, but I define myself more of a generalist when it comes to photography as a whole. Part of the reason I love this job so much is that no two days look the same; much like no two stories are the same. 

Melani Wood
Producer-Project Manager

I started out thinking
I wanted to be a journalist. When I took the screen arts program at Nova Scotia Community College, my love for journalism and film met in the middle with documentaries. 

Learning is my biggest motivator. I like being able to meet new people and learn about their experiences; their experiences become my experiences. I like working with a smaller group of passionate people who are not afraid of doing things.

Keandre Johnson
Lighting and Grip

As a quiet teen, I grew up unsure of my path, but I was always interested in film. When I began studying Screen Arts at NSCC, my love for film and my appreciation for collaborating with other creative people grew immensely. 

Working with lighting is a fulfilling experience for me; I can change the meaning of a scene simply by changing the lighting. I feel at ease on set, and thrive off its energy and the energy of people around me. There’s always something new to learn to improve my craft.

Nance Ackerman
Director

My clothesline is an international clothesline.
The minute I walk into another culture and feel part of another world, that’s when I feel the most alive and vibrant. 

I can’t pick a favourite project. In all my projects, people share a part of them with me; that’s like saying pick your favourite person in your life. I’ve never believed in objectivity in journalism; it’s a total myth. I don’t think it does the world any good to be objective. If it’s not personal, what’s the point?

Jamie Alcorn
Sound and Music

Ultimately I’m a musician but I’m also a writer, producer, arranger. I started playing guitar at age 11 and started touring at 21. It’s been a total evolution.

My clothesline is being creative. I’m a builder, whether it’s with my table saw or my microphone. Building a soundtrack and building a house are very similar. It’s a collaboration. You go through a creative process and you end up with something tangible.